The requirement for victims to disclose details of the violent crime committed against them was having a detrimental impact, the report found.
Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

Survivors of violent crime are being re-traumatised by the government’s compensation body, according to a report.

The victims’ commissioner, Helen Newlove, said her review into the criminal injuries compensation scheme found victims were alienated and frustrated by the process. Many reported that the compensation scheme was so stressful it could re-trigger trauma.

Survivors of violent crimes were asked to constantly repeat their story, and often faced delays, uncertainty and poor communication, Lady Newlove said.

People who suffer as a result of violent crimes that take place in England, Wales or Scotland can be awarded taxpayer-funded payments of up to £500,000 through the scheme. Claims can be made in relation to mental or physical injury, sexual or physical abuse, loss of earnings and the death of a close relative.

“The process of claiming is often having a detrimental impact on their wellbeing. I worry that we are treating it as a tick-box exercise, without recognising the emotional needs of those making claims,” Newlove said.

The report found that nearly 40% of victims felt the need to turn to a third party to pursue their claim because of the distress caused by the process or the sheer complexity of the application.

Those who use lawyers could lose up to a quarter of their award in legal fees, but support available for victims in making a claim was patchy and in some areas, nonexistent, the report said.

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The review also found that three in five victims spoken to were not aware of their entitlement to claim. “This raises a question as to whether there are potentially thousands of victims who fail to claim compensation simply because they are unaware of the compensation scheme,” Newlove said.

Another concern was the requirement for victims to complete forms outlining details of the crime, including location, dates and addresses.

The report said: “Evidence from this review demonstrates that completing this part of the CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) application form is highly traumatic as it re-triggers memories of the incident.

“Some victim service providers make the point that the level of detail required from victims is unethical, given current knowledge about the negative effects of continually asking victims to repeat their story.”

In a joint statement, Barnardo’s chief executive, Javed Khan, the chief officer of Victim Support’, Diana Fawcett, and Liberty’s advocacy director, Corey Stoughton, said: “We have long been campaigning for an overhaul of the criminal injuries compensation scheme (CICS), so we back the victims’ commissioner’s recommendation and urge the government to immediately review the CICS to make it work for victims, rather than against them.

“The commissioner’s review highlights how victims of horrific crimes like child sexual abuse find the process of trying to claim compensation so stressful that it can re-trigger their original trauma. This is a complex scheme which has seen young sexual abuse victims blamed for their abuse.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “While no amount of compensation can make up for the immense suffering endured by victims of violent crime, we are committed to ensuring that they receive the help and support needed to rebuild their lives.

“We take this duty very seriously, which is why, as part of our victims’ strategy last year, we pledged to look at the difficulties faced by some when applying for compensation – announcing a review of the scheme to ensure it supports them better.

“The review will report back later this year and will consider the points raised by the victims’ commissioner.”

The scheme was set up in 1964 and paid out more than £150m in 2017-18.

The review engaged more than 200 victims, as well as police and crime commissioners, victim support services, criminal justice agencies and lawyers.